Forum Discussion

strudeau's avatar
strudeau
Explorer
Aug 19, 2013

Burning Rubber Smell after towing Ford Edge

I've noticed a burning rubber smell on my 2012 Ford Edge, that is evident only after I unhook from the Coach and then drive the car for 10-15 miles. It smells like a burnt belt. Car runs fine and I've had it into the Ford dealer with zero results. The weird thing is it only happens on the first drive after I unhook, and then never happens again on subsequent drives. The tires are all fine and no sign of unusual wear. Got me stumped!

9 Replies

  • wny_pat1's avatar
    wny_pat1
    Explorer
    Aug 20, 2013
    Follow the instructions in your toad's owners manual. Put your vent on recirculate when it is being towed. That shuts down the ventilation system. It will help cut down on some of the smell getting into your ventilation system. At least that is what my Ford's manual says to do.
  • CJ5_jeeper's avatar
    CJ5_jeeper
    Explorer
    Aug 20, 2013
    The air intake for our motorhome is in the rear on the left side, and the last time I checked it I could not believe how much rubber dust was in it. From now on it will be checked more often. I now have a spare filter, so I will not have to go find one on a long trip.
  • Two_Hands's avatar
    Two_Hands
    Explorer
    Aug 20, 2013
    Thank you folks for talking about this because it also happens to our Edge after towing. Now we know why. Thanks.
  • Thunder_Mountai's avatar
    Thunder_Mountai
    Explorer II
    Aug 20, 2013
    First time we towed our 2001 Wrangler that smell scared the heck out of us. Searched this forum and found out it is normal. It is accumulated oil, tire dust, etc. on the exhaust system. When driving a car this is constantly burned off.
  • robatthelake's avatar
    robatthelake
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2013
    Happens all the time! Nothing to worry about ,just a bit of Road Rubber that clings to Your Tail Pipe then burns off when You run the Car.
  • Nick-B's avatar
    Nick-B
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2013
    Cottontop wrote:
    It is usually caused from towing and rubber from the road is thrown onto the exhaust pipe and when it gets hot you smell it.

    ^^^^ THIS ^^^^

    Completely normal.
  • Cottontop's avatar
    Cottontop
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2013
    It is usually caused from towing and rubber from the road is thrown onto the exhaust pipe and when it gets hot you smell it.
  • Acampingwewillg's avatar
    Acampingwewillg
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2013
    Funny you should mention this......although this is the first time Ive noticed it after towing and it happens on a Saturn SC2 also. I mean Ive towed it many miles with no rubber smell at all but this last time, it was very noticeable.

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